Canadian Heritage Committee on Nov. 30th, 2023

[Pascale St-Onge, Liberal, Brome—Missisquoi, QC]

Thank you very much.

I would also like to thank you for all the work you are doing on the committee to strengthen our laws. I commend you on everything you are defending here.

As far as the Laith Marouf case is concerned, I have to tell you that I obviously condemn all forms of discrimination. I find what happened in this situation unacceptable. I know that the Department of Canadian Heritage has taken steps to ensure that this never happens again. Since I was not there at the time, I'll let my deputy minister comment on what happened afterwards. However, I'll quickly answer your other two questions.

With regard to Meta, we have seen that this company refuses to be held responsible for the content that appears on its platform. It does everything to avoid responsibility. We are looking at everything we can do to further support our media. The tax credit you're talking about is obviously one of the solutions we're looking at to provide more support for our sector and to encourage people to advertise, first and foremost, on Canadian media. We are looking very seriously into this possibility.

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

I'm glad to hear that.

[Pascale St-Onge, Liberal, Brome—Missisquoi, QC]

As far as Google is concerned, I think we have to recognize that it has chosen a different attitude and approach in Canada. It has chosen to abide by the act and to work with government and the media sector to play its part in ensuring that Canadians have access to content made in Canada for Canadians. This must also be recognized.

I'll let Ms. Mondou answer the question about the Laith Marouf case.

[Isabelle Mondou, Deputy Minister, Department of Canadian Heritage]

In terms of recovering the funds, four stages have now been completed. First, a collection agency was hired. Second, an agency ascertained the assets that the organization still has. Third, we applied to the Canada Revenue Agency to have any money from the organization that is paid to the Canada Revenue Agency turned over to us. Finally, a lawsuit has been filed with the court.

We also set up a training program for our analysts to ensure that they conduct more thorough research on social networks. Our employees have received training on anti-Semitism. An attestation has been added to the procedure to make it clear that, in applications, no contravention of the Canadian Human Rights Act or the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms will be tolerated. Finally—

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

I'm sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to ask another question related to online harms. It concerns the suicide of a 12‑year‑old child, who had been subjected to all kinds of online pressure. We see all the hate that is spreading online.

When will we finally have a bill to fight online harms?

[Pascale St-Onge, Liberal, Brome—Missisquoi, QC]

That's an excellent question.

Our government is absolutely committed to introducing legislation to combat online harms. This is obviously a complex piece of legislation. It has to respect freedom of expression while providing stronger protections for children and adolescents.

We are going to bring forward a bill as soon as it's ready. What happened was really awful. When we see that young people are committing suicide because of what they endure online, it's absolutely horrifying. The whole government should be concerned about it and do more to combat online hate.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you.

That's it, Peter. You've run out of time. You're a little over time.

Now we're going to the second round. It's a five-minute round.

We begin with Rachael Thomas for the Conservatives for five minutes.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Thank you.

Minister, I noticed that you answer my questions in French, but other English questions you answer in English, if they are from your Liberal colleagues. I realize it's completely your choice. We're a bilingual country.

If at all possible, I would love to have it in English.

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Point of order, Madam Chair.

[Lisa Hepfner, Liberal, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

On a point of order, that's not appropriate.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Can everyone please stop shouting?

There are at least five people shouting for a point of order.

Clerk, did you see who was the first one?

Go ahead, Martin.

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Madam Chair, I don't need to remind my colleague Mrs. Thomas that the people who appear before the committee, like the members of this committee, can express themselves in the official language of their choice. We have an extremely efficient interpretation service. I have the opportunity to witness that regularly. I think the minister has every right to answer in the language of her choice. What I heard was insulting to Quebeckers and francophones.

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

Madam Chair—

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I think Lisa was before you, Peter.

[Lisa Hepfner, Liberal, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

I was going to raise the same point of order. I don't think we can ask her to answer in one language or another.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Peter, is it on the same point of order?

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

Madam Chair, I wish to raise the same point of order.

I just asked two questions in English, and the minister was entitled to answer in the language of her choice.

For anyone to question bilingualism in this country is offensive to everyone. I do hope the member will start respecting the official languages and this committee.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you. Those are valid points of order.

Mrs. Thomas, continue.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

No, I am on the same point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

You are on the same point of order. Okay, we have paused.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Thank you.

My observation is that the Liberal member was afforded the opportunity to be answered in English, and I was not afforded that same opportunity. I recognize that we're a bilingual country, and by all means, you can answer in either language. I'm just curious if you would be willing to answer in English.

[Taleeb Noormohamed, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

I have a point of order, Madam Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I'm sorry. I have to go back to the original point of order, and that is that the person speaking should choose what language they wish to speak in. If the minister chooses French, that's fine, and if she chooses English, that's fine. We cannot make her answer in whichever....

Okay. Good.

Please continue. Do you want to ask a question?

Go ahead, Michael.

[Michael Coteau, Liberal, Don Valley East, ON]

On a point of order, I think the fact that the Conservative Party has demanded that a member speak only in English goes against everything this country has been built on.

When we come into this chamber, we have two official languages that everyone is afforded, and the fact that the Conservative Party is demanding that a member use only one language, to me, is just unacceptable. It needs to be noted that it should never happen at committee. It should never happen in the House of Commons, and it's just something that goes against our very values as Canadians.